Finding’s one’s purpose is always the start. As a person and as an entrepreneur it is fundamental that we find a higher purpose and get clear on “why we are here” or/and why our business exists.

Elon Musk himself had to take time to find his purpose: “I always had an existential crisis, trying to figure out ‘what does it all mean?’ I came to the conclusion that if we can advance the knowledge of the world, if we can expand the scope and scale of consciousness, then, we’re better able to ask the right questions and become more enlightened. That’s the only way to move forward.”

Also remember that your higher purpose is always a gift you were born with, it is what you love doing. Doing what you love will help find the energy needed to overcome any obstacle and challenge your business will undoubtedly face.

2. Align Your Purpose With Your Business Vision

Elon Musk’s ventures which includes PayPal all make a global impact in the world. He is now literally aiming for the stars exploring the possibility for humans to live on Mars. Musk shared that his purpose is to “ensure the future of human kind’’.

3. Think Different

During his USC commencement speech Musk reminds us to not just follow trends. As entrepreneurs, we must visualize things as they can be and not “just the way they are”. We need to think different, outside the box, look for what is yet to be and not what is. For that, we must stop worrying about our competition but create our own rules instead with what we envision for the world and ourselves, and build new industries.

4. Give Value

Giving is the key to prosperity.

Therefore, whatever service we offer as a business must be of value for our clients. This is how we will attract customers and social media followers.

Musk reminds us we must ‘’focus on something that has high value to someone else, be really rigorous in making that assessment, because natural human tendency is wishful thinking, so the challenge to entrepreneurs is telling what’s the difference between really believing in your ideals and sticking to them as opposed to pursuing some unrealistic dream that doesn’t actually have merit.’’

5. Take Risks

Most great business ventures are risky. The best way to be safe is to take a leap of faith. Millionaires achieve great affluence because they are risk-takers beyond the barriers of accepted limitations.

Elon Musk took massive action and risks when launching his businesses. He invested millions in all ventures before getting any ROI. Clearly, it paid off. His enterprises are thriving and his net worth today is estimated at $12.9 billion.

He shared: ‘’people should be less risk averse, when there’s not much at risk.’’

6. Accept Failure As Part Of Success

Don’t stop until your desires materialize. Most of us stop trying before we succeed.

Musk says, “If something is important enough we should try even if the probable outcome is failure.” And that “Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, we are not innovating enough.”

7. Give it 130%

As an entrepreneur you will have to work extensive hours until everything you envision comes to life.

Musk said “put in 80 to 100 hour weeks every week. [This] improves the odds of success. If other people are putting in 40 hour work weeks and you’re putting in 100 hour work weeks, then even if you’re doing the same thing you know that….you will achieve in 4 months what it takes them a year to achieve.”

8. Think Positive

Elon Musk is a clear example of someone who believes in the impossible.

Thinking positive is critical for success. Therefore, we must stretch our mind to think bigger. If we seek unreasonable levels of success, we will eventually get exceptional results.

9. Be Perseverant

We must understand discipline and consistency are required to succeed.

Elon’s perseverance to keep on going when SpaceX and Tesla were on the verge of bankruptcy is what enabled his success. He invested a large amount of his personal funds towards his business ideas.

Space X required 3 launches before landing in Mars and before Elon got a $1.6 billion contract from NASA.

Nathalie Virem, International Speaker, Best Selling Author, and Entrepreneurship Expert

Founder and CEO of Nathalie Virem Foundation. We are the premiere resource for developing enlightened, aligned, committed and engaged leaders of meaningful, thriving and ethically sustainable ventures that serve the greater good. Our mission is to guide, and shape the leaders of tomorrow by aligning their personal and business purpose, so they can have a bigger and more positive impact in the world. The Nathalie Virem Foundation school offers events (workshops, seminars, retreats), online courses, books, and scholarships for underprivileged business students and entrepreneurs. The bigger picture of the Foundation includes charity events with global media coverage raising funds through charitable contributions and donations for human development projects. ''Live With Purpose''

Share your comments below. Please read our commenting guidelines before posting. If you have a concern about a comment, report it here.

Creating Innovative Solutions For A Better World

Sign up for the Thrive Global newsletter

“People look for retreats for themselves, in the country, by the coast, or in the hills . . . There is nowhere that a person can find a more peaceful and trouble-free retreat than in his own mind. . . . So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself.”